Every report card from the beginning of the year all the way through spring, until she promoted me into the 3rd grade (which I’m sure she was anxious to do), gentle Mrs. Hemming wrote at each grading

Sharon Birlson Kirkham

period the same note to my parents … “walks and talks.” My beloved sister, Diane, who teaches elementary school to this day, says I would undoubtedly be labeled ADHD if I were one of her students (not a joke). Back in 1955, Mother just chalked it up to “ants in my pants,” and today my husband Cary calls it “another wild hair.”

It’s been a busy early-morning couple of weeks for my little black pickup truck with the blue and white decal in the back window that reads “I Love Water Skiing.” It’s been parked in an intermodal lot in downtown Chicago for five of the past eight days with an 8 1/2×11-inch sheet of paper on the dashboard that has the words “Chicago Med” written on it in bold black Sharpie, a must have to qualify for entry to the free employee parking lot.

I’m still walking and talking, albeit very quietly on the set of the TV series “Chicago Med.” A monstrous complex called Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, a family-owned company, and a 70-acre film campus formerly occupied by the Ryerson Steel plant in Chicago’s Lawndale neighborhood, is where I’m working. Inside one of the old, abandoned, restored warehouses, there is an authentic football-shaped emergency room movie set specially constructed for the very popular TV show.

The “ants in my pants” have pretty much subsided since the main thing we do as background actors, aka “extras,” is sit and wait… until the scene in which we have been cast is ready to shoot. There were triage burn victims, waiting room people, med techs, firefighters — the list goes on of the community of folks who were chosen for this episode. Most of us read and/or in my case, wrote a story, while we waited to be called to the set.

Most every day was 12-14 hours long. We arrived by 6 a.m. for sign in, wardrobe, breakfast and makeup. Yes, we were fed a delicious hot breakfast, lunch and dinner, and while I am bound and sworn to secrecy (a definite challenge), I can tell you the shows “Med” and “Fire” that I worked (also “PD”) will air the last week of September and the first week of October.

While I may or may not be on screen, I will be armed with my special ant spray, Cary will most likely pop some corn, and as the evening wears on I will still be facing the giants of not “walking and talking” for three straight hours while we watch as the older lady (a one-time reference to me made by the director) makes her TV debut. Hope you will join us!

SHARON BIRLSON KIRKHAM travels and writes. A retired flight attendant, she and her husband of nearly 40 years, Cary, were awarded travel privileges for life when she left her job in 2008. Their intention is to burn it up, and so far they’ve lived up to their promise. Sharon has written and self-published four books, the most recent an e-book, “Skygirl on Cloud 9.” Born, raised and graduated from high school in LaPorte, she and Cary are community activists. They love to travel, but always look forward to returning home to their beloved LaPorte.

There seems to be much interest these days in villages that never became recognized, many of which were referred to as “flag stops” or “whistle stops” and were located near a railroad. There are varied

La Porte County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz

beliefs regarding the actual designation of these two entities. One definition reported: “From a railroad rules standpoint, flag stop is correct. From a colloquial use standpoint you could use whistle stop. When you give the train a signal to stop, it should whistle to acknowledge the signal. Thus, whistle stop.”

La Porte County had a number of these, but also villages that were platted but never became renowned. One of these was Laketon.

The village of Laketon was platted November 28, 1857, and the recording may be found in the La Porte County Recorder’s Office in Original Plat Book 1, page 267. The village was laid out in Section 36 of Township 37 North Range 3 West (Center), Section 31 in Township 37 North Range 2 West (Kankakee), Section 6 in Township 36 North Range 2 West (Pleasant), and Section 1 of Township 36 North Range 3 West (Scipio). It contained 275 lots and was platted by W.J. (William James) Walker and his wife, Caroline M. (Caroline Matilda Rose) Walker.

W.J. was the son of John Crawford Walker Sr., one of eight children. John had established considerable friendships with influential legislators in Indiana and he used that position in 1829 to influence the bill passing the construction of the Michigan Road from Madison. He received vouchers, or certificates known as “scrip,” which he could exchange to purchase land in the north part of the state. He was paid because he was considered a contractor who supplied tools and manpower for projects.

In 1830, John Crawford Sr. purchased 5,120 acres of land through the Government Land Office in La Porte and in 1831 and 1832, another 5,250 acres at South Bend and Logansport. He was reportedly the largest landowner in the state at that time. Some of this acreage was the location where La Porte was platted. He moved his family to La Porte in 1839. His life was certainly not without troubles. He was eager to make La Porte a railway site. He envisioned facilities for the shipment of lumber and grain arriving via ships on Lake Michigan. This dream was not fulfilled. He died in 1844 and was buried in the Walker family cemetery, which he had established. The cemetery still exists but went through a very poor condition period. His sons carried on John’s expectations.

W.J. was very interested in La Porte and believed it would one day be a great metropolis. In a 1916 issue of the local newspaper, it was reported that about the time the Cincinnati, Peru & Chicago Railway (later the Lake Erie) was put through La Porte, indications were that in a few years the town would be of several hundred thousand population. It was then that Laketon was platted. It was located on the shores of what formerly was Walker’s Lake, which was at the southeastern edge of La Porte’s boundary at that time. The railroad passed through the edge of the “dream village,” but nothing developed in the area and there was nothing within the borders “but waving grain and green grass.” What had been hoped to happen had not and even the waters of the lake, which once were so clear and beautiful, had vanished.

According to the news of the day, it was on this date, March 23, 1916, that the “sordid” end of Walker’s dream came when in the circuit court a petition was presented by William Niles asking that the “village” be vacated, that the plat be canceled, and that the land be described in the future as “farm land.” Laketon was annexed into La Porte and was bounded by Rumely, Ohio, Roberts and Clement streets. The Patton Cemetery occupies land located between Laketon and the old Walker’s Lake.

FERN EDDY SCHULTZ is La Porte County’s official Historian.

]]>http://whatsnewlaporte.com/2018/08/09/laketon-a-la-porte-village-that-soon-met-its-demise/feed/1Forward thinking: Thomas Reynolds’ premonition led him to make his casket ahead of timehttp://whatsnewlaporte.com/2018/07/16/thomas-reynolds-premonition-led-him-to-make-his-casket-ahead-of-time/
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We continually hear it recommended that we plan for our futures. Well, Thomas C. Reynolds, a resident of Westville in early La Porte County history, did just that.

Reynolds was born in Wayne County, IN, 16 June 1827. He came with his parents to La Porte County in 1833 and settled in Westville, which had not even been platted and was not until 1851. It is difficult to picture the area at the time of his arrival. However, history tells us that the Indians (Native Americans) held “almost undisputed possession” at that point in time. It is recorded that at that time, there were 500 Indians camped at Petro’s Grove, which was located near the present Westville site.

La Porte County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz

Reynolds’ parents were of the Quaker belief and that was the creed instilled in the young Reynolds. Information recorded about Reynolds reports that “his strongest characteristics were integrity, modesty, truthfulness and industry.”

Reynolds was reportedly a natural mechanic and was always involved in the invention of some item. Had he been able to protect some of his inventions by patents, he probably would have become very wealthy and widely known. One of his inventions was a running gear for a traction engine and an electric motor. This invention was also called a self-propeller attachment to a steam engine. This was an 1840s invention. His actual occupation was that of watchmaker and repairer and he was a master of his trade. By 1880, he had manufactured 56 watches. He had a workshop which was “filled with contrivances which his hands made and his genius suggested.”

Reynolds was very involved in the community and as a Westville school board member for 22 years. He served as treasurer of that board and, according to reports, saved that institution much financially due to his ability for skilled labor as well as being a good financier.

Reynolds’ father was a native of North Carolina and his mother of Tennessee. He was reared on a farm and educated in a “subscription school” located in a log shanty with slab benches for seats. Subscription schools were funded by a monthly tuition fee paid by the parents to the teachers. In 1860, he married Lucinda Williams and they were the parents of three children.

Reynolds was characterized as “death’s architect.” He had a premonition about a year before his death that his life was very short. He then began work making his own casket. After finishing it, he added a covering and it was ready to receive his remains when the time came. The casket was made of black walnut, which he had seasoned for 20 years.

Thomas C. Reynolds passed away 22 August 1901 at the age of 73 years. His wife, Lucinda, had preceded him on 27 March 1888, at the age of 55 years. They are both buried in the Westville Cemetery in New Durham Township. It was noted in his obituary that “he had his casket prepared many years ago and kept it ready for the time when he should require it for his last journey.” At his funeral, B.W. Hollenbeck, a member of the school board, spoke words of praise of the work of “Uncle Tommy,” saying “a generation would not produce a man to wholly take his place.”

Photos above: The before, during and after shots of the Share’n renovation, with Cary Kirkham doing the work.

By Sharon Birlson Kirkham

It was around Valentine’s Day and snowflakes the size of cotton balls were pouring out of the sky. We had been up north for over a week to celebrate our 2nd grandson Marcus’ 19th, and my husband Cary was ready to come home. I said, “Give me one more day.” He said, “OK, but if we’re staying, I’m taking Max (Marcus’ older brother) and heading up to Iron Mountain to look at that pontoon I saw advertised on Craig’s List. We’ll stop at the Chinese buffet for lunch.” As we walked out the door into the freezing cold, he said, “This one will be for our family and friends to cruise Pine Lake on a warm summer evening.” Suuuurrrrre …

We had taken the South Shore to the boat show at McCormick Place a month earlier and Cary still had pontoons on the brain. After an hour drive and a few missed turns we located the home and adjacent building. What we found tucked away, as far back in the woods of northern Michigan as our steel-stud Michelins would carry us, did not resemble — in any way shape or form — the shiny new pontoons we had looked at only a few short weeks earlier.

As the elderly gentleman tugged on the rope easing open the overhead door, my eyes feasted on the paint-chipped wooden legs of what was once a beautiful antique outdoor swing. In the back right-hand corner, however, and the reason for which we had come, was the worst looking piece of junk I had ever seen. (See pics.) The man actually said that he and his wife had had it out late last summer on the adjacent lake and it “ran like a breeze.”

I retreated to the truck to read my book, and Grampa and Max did their magic. As I exited the building, I said, “If a deal can be struck, how ’bout throwing in that swing?” “That,” the venerable old man responded, “would require clearance from the Mrs.”

About 30 minutes later Cary and Max returned to the truck and said, “Let’s eat.” Lunch was quick and easy. As he prepared to pay the bill, Cary said, “OK, we’re going back for Share’n.” Hmmm … he’s already named it … guess he meant what he said …

After close to an hour of negotiations and hook-up, as we pulled out of the long driveway, I looked back to see Share’n hugging our bumper. Propped upside down in the middle of the pontoon, sticking straight up in the air, were the four paint-chipped legs of the antique swing.

Share’n made her way back to LaPorte and with lots of love and effort on Cary’s part, she has become the newest member of our used car/boat lot. (See pics.)

We would like to extend an invitation to all our family and friends in LaPorte to join us for a sunset boat ride on Pine Lake anytime this summer. We have been in the same place for 40 years, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding us. We are in every old phone book you have lying around or tucked away in your desk drawer. Call us … Looking forward to celebrating with all of you.

Happy 40th Anniversary, Cary. Thank you for share’n life with me.

SHARON BIRLSON KIRKHAM and her husband Cary love to travel, but always return to their beloved LaPorte.

An early plat of Holmes Island (above), and a photo of the resort building (below). (Photos submitted)

By Fern Eddy Schultz, La Porte County Historian

In 1878, Holmes’ Shorthand Business College was established in La Porte. As near as can be determined, it was initially located on the southeast corner of the public square. By 1887, it had been relocated to the

Prof. John B. Holmes. (Photo provided)

Guggenhime & Wile building on the southeast corner of Main (today’s Lincoln Way) and Michigan avenues. Entrance to the school was between 703 and 705 Michigan. It was established by Prof. John B. Holmes and reportedly “won a prominent place among the educational institutions of Northern Indiana.”

Prof. Holmes had earned an honorary Master of Arts Degree while at Williams College. It was while teaching there that he met and married Miss Sappho L. Morgan. Eight children were born to them and six were living in 1888. He became acquainted with phonography while attending Gouvernear Wesleyan Seminary in St. Lawrence County, NY. His recollection of this was that it occurred in 1850 when a teacher came to the seminary and proposed organizing a class at that institution. Holmes had for some time been in search of a good system of shorthand. He was impressed with the idea of using the simplest geometrical figures of the alphabet in this new system. In 1857, he entered the law school at Albany, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Law. While attending law lectures, he took notes in phonography.

After the skillful teaching direction of Prof. Holmes at The Phonographic Department of Ames’ National Business College in Syracuse, NY, he moved to Chicago. There he was involved in newspaper work, being editor of “The Chicago,” a literary venture which became the victim of its proprietor.

Besides his duties as a teacher, Prof. Holmes was greatly interested in the growth and progress of La Porte and opened an entirely new business for the city. In 1886, he established the pioneer summer resort on what was to become known as Holmes’ Island. This was located on Pine Lake, north of the city (now simply known as “The Island”). This action on the part of Prof. Holmes added much to the business of La Porte during the summer months.

Holmes was described as a “tireless worker” and he was aided in his work by his wife, to whom a great measure of credit for the success of the summer resort was given. She was also responsible for the establishment of The Students’ Library for improvement in history and literature. This was largely attended by students of the college. The only record found of students attending the school lists Samuel Stewart McCollum, Amenzo Mann, Kent Marvin Andrew and Norman Dakin, son of Dr. George M. Dakin. One entry regarding the school stated the students were primarily from the more well-to-do families.

La Porte County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz

There were seven or eight miles of beach on Holmes Island as of 1890 and it covered about 10 acres. It was oblong in shape and was covered with oak, basswood, maple and beech trees. The resort building was described as “very commodious, including office, dining room, kitchen, store room and eighteen bedrooms.” Each bedroom had a large window and door opening onto the porch. From every window on the building, one could get a view of the lake. A porch extended around the entire building, which was over 100 feet in length.

The business college was carried on by Holmes for 15 years. It then went into the hands of J.N. Poole and W. Whitmer, who conducted it until about 1890. George Farnum reopened it, but after about three months, H.E. Noe took over its management. The school was discontinued about 1901.

Prof. Holmes died December 25, 1888. He had had some medical problems throughout his life. His wife, Sappho Lamoille (Morgan) Holmes, died July 8, 1898. Both are buried in Pine Lake Cemetery, Lot 110 of the Maple Hill section.

An 1892 plat of Section 9, Wills Township, LaPorte County, showing the location of Puddletown near Finger Lake. (image provided)

By Fern Eddy Schultz, La Porte County Historian

According to recorded information, a place called Puddletown was located between New Carlisle and La Porte. Puddletown was one of the earlier place names in La Porte County, being located in the southern

La Porte County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz

portion of Section 9 in Wills Township. For many years, a public school by that name served the rural students of the area. The village was along the northeastern margin of what was known as Finger Lake in an area along the southern side of Ind. 2, 3 1/2 miles east of the intersection of U.S. 20 and Old Ind. 2. There was, at one time, a sawmill located there.

Puddletown was never laid out as a village. But, according to Daniels’ La Porte County history, at an early day it may have deserved the name of a village. By 1904, the only thing remaining as an indication of the town’s existence, according to a report, was a small store kept by L.C. Vandusen who first engaged in the boot and shoe business at Puddletown in 1857. In 1872, he added a small stock of groceries; in 1876, he abandoned the shoe shop in favor of a small stock of groceries, drugs, dry goods, hardware and queensware. In 1856, Waters & Dugan started a blacksmith shop and continued in that business for about three years. During the year 1862, a post office was established with J.W. Culp as postmaster. It was discontinued after about two years. As of 1904, Daniels reported in his history that “this little country village can no longer be called a town; it was never laid out as such.”

Benjamin Franklin Taylor (image provided)

Benjamin Franklin Taylor, one of La Porte’s early journalists, authors and lecturers, spent his childhood near Puddletown. His first work was called “Puddletown and its People.” No copy of this publication has been located, but a number of his books are on the shelf in the Fern Eddy Schultz Research Library in the La Porte County Historical Society Museum, along with other La Porte-authored books. Taylor had several editions. Many of his letters were gathered together and published in 1872 under the title of “Pictures of Life in Camp and Field.” Much of his prose was considered “very fine.” It was noted that “although his fancy was exuberant and untrained, it was also picturesque, sympathetic and earnest.” The London Times called him the Oliver Goldsmith of America. His “Isle of Long Ago” is quoted in Chapman’s 1880 history of La Porte County and “The Old Barn” is quoted in Daniels’ 1904 La Porte County history.

Taylor was educated at Madison University, New York, where his father was president. He graduated from there in 1838. He was, for many years, the literary editor of the Chicago Evening Journal and was its war correspondent during the rebellion. His description of the Battle of Lookout Mountain was noted

as being “a marvelous pen-picture of that memorable contest.” His life was a struggle, his income seldom being equal to his necessities. He briefly taught the men at the Warrenville Seminary, a private co-educational finishing school in DuPage County, IL. It attracted many students from Chicago, with as many as 200 enrolled at one time. It was closed during the Civil War.

Personally, Taylor was reported to have been “genial and responsive, but he was so sensitive and shrinking that he invented methods to avoid meeting strangers and to account of his late appearance before and sudden disappearances after his lectures.” To the chairman who was to introduce him, he would say: “Do it quickly! I would rather chop a cord of wood than sit here five minutes.”

In his later years, Taylor traveled extensively in California. The University of California gave him the degree of LL. D. He was married in 1839 to Mary Elizabeth Bromley. She died in 1848, leaving two sons: John Bromley Franklin Taylor, born February 26, 1843, in Hamilton, Madison County, NY, and Porter H. Wood Taylor, born October 26, 1844, in Norwich, New London County, CT.

Benjamin Franklin Taylor died in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH, on 24 January 1887. He is buried in Colgate University Cemetery, Hamilton, Madison County, NY.

FERN EDDY SCHULTZ is La Porte County’s official Historian.

]]>http://whatsnewlaporte.com/2018/05/09/welcome-to-puddletown/feed/2Hailmann School is named for a man, but his wife had a larger impact in the national education fieldhttp://whatsnewlaporte.com/2018/04/15/hailmann-school-is-named-for-a-man-but-his-wife-had-a-larger-impact-in-the-national-education-field/
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Mrs. E.L. Hailmann’s Training School for Kindergartners was on Osborn Street between Michigan and Indiana avenues. (Photo provided)

By Fern Eddy Schultz, La Porte County Historian

During the Bicentennial celebration for the State of Indiana throughout the year 2016, the La Porte County Historical Society Inc. displayed an approved project exhibit consisting of 45 individuals entitled

A page from one of Mrs. Hailmann’s books. (Photo provided)

Prominent People of La Porte County. This display included only a small portion of the individuals who qualified for this status in the county. Some of the people not only contributed to county and statewide betterment, but also nationwide and worldwide. The list of individuals who would qualify has reached approximately 240.

To be included in this program, the following criteria was applied:

— Must have accomplished some outstanding fete during the years 1916-2016

— The accomplishment must have provided some particular degree of benefit in area of expertise in which it is applied to the betterment of La Porte County and/or its inhabitants

— The designated person cannot have been included in the approved “Prominent People of La Porte County” project for the Bicentennial celebration of Indiana

— Must have been a resident of LaPorte County at some time during the period

La Porte County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz

Dr. William Nicholas Hailmann was selected to be one of the highlighted individuals. His wife, Eudora Lucas Hailmann, also qualified but was not included. Here is her story:

Eudora was born in Evansville (Vanderburgh County), IN, in 1841. In 1857 in Louisville, KY, she married William Nicholas Hailmann. She assisted her husband during his tenure as Superintendent of Schools in La Porte in the establishment of kindergartens. She also trained teachers for kindergarten work, wrote books about kindergarten methods and invented some of the materials used long after in that work.

Eudora had been educated in Louisville at the girls’ high school, where her sister was principal. It was there she met William Nicholas Hailmann. Their son, Harry W., was born in 1867. It is recorded that she had gone to Switzerland in 1862 as well as 1872. However, other information records her having gone only in 1872, taking their three children. The youngest was sent to kindergarten. They reportedly came home thoroughly awakened to the possibilities of the kindergarten movement. Her power to inspire was instant and she interested everyone she talked to. About four years later, she was called to Northampton, MA, to introduce kindergarten in the Florence knitting mills district.

In 1883, a call-back came for Dr. William Hailmann to work in public schools in La Porte. From 1883 to 1904, he served as Superintendent of La Porte City Schools. Upon entering the La Porte system, he began immediately to work toward establishment of kindergarten. He urged the doctrine of creation versus passivity, of expression versus repression for all children, not just “head” training as had been the custom of the past, but “head, hand and heart” training. He established the department of manual training and of art when such advantages were almost unknown to public schools.

With the assistance of Eudora, kindergartens became a vital part of the La Porte schools when but one other city in the United States could claim that distinction. By 1886, although Eudora had been conducting training classes for three years, the plea to establish kindergarten went unanswered. Finally, a “Free Kindergarten Association” was organized by several progressive citizens. The group undertook the financing of Dr. Hailmann’s project for pre-primary schooling.

In November of 1888, the first “free” kindergarten opened in La Porte. Eudora actively supervised the work and was assisted by her class of students in teacher training. She put into the kindergarten the principles of the Froebel system, a system that was to become widely popular in America many years later.

In July 1955, the decision was made to name the new elementary school in La Porte the Dr. William Nicholas Hailmann School. On the opening day of American Education Week, Nov. 11, 1956, the official dedication occurred.

The Hailmanns had four children: William A. (sometimes referred to as William N. Jr.); Elizabeth E. (sometimes referred to as Bessie by the print media), who was an instructor of violin music in San Diego, CA; Harry W., and Walter (who died early in life).

Eudora made many contributions of kindergarten materials. She composed and edited books and songs, games and rhymes and a book of “Sacred Songs for Little Children,” for which her daughter, Elizabeth, composed the melodies.

Eudora died March 9, 1905, at the age of 64 years and is buried in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading, MA. (NOTE: Because of lack of citations given for this research, much of this information would need to be documented before it could be considered above and beyond dispute.)

FERN EDDY SCHULTZ is the official state-appointed historian of LaPorte County.

Well, folks, spring has sprung and as the song, “Summer’s Comin’” by Clint Black goes, “nothing on earth that’ll get me hummin’ like a heatwave comin’” is what the Lake City Skiers of Warsaw, IN, have been

Sharon Birlson Kirkham (photo taken by her grandson, Trace Ostergren)

singing. While the water skis are still tucked away in the shed, the ropes have been unwound and are being put to good use until the weather warms up!

Last July, the Rotary Club of LaPorte brought the Lake City Skiers here to perform their hourlong water ski show on Pine Lake. Because it was such a great success, they are bringing them back again this July 21 … mark your calendars, LaPorte!

The first practice of the Lake City Skiers was March 24 at a gymnasium in Warsaw, and if you think you might be interested in being a part of the show, a membership drive is under way.

The youngest member of the team is 5, and the oldest is yours truly. My husband Cary and I become septuagenarians this year. For those of you who have never heard that word, it means 70. We call ourselves “seenagers,” because we are having so much fun. Cary is learning to be a pick-up boat driver and I’m skiing, so if any of you think you might be interested, “no excuses” — there is a place for you at Lake City Skiers.

For our practice last Saturday, the ropes were anchored to a concrete pillar in the furnace room beside the gym, and each category learned their individual and group routine. With lots of spotters, the pyramid climbers were taught the proper way to climb and the ballet line learned their routine, plus the two dances they perform before and after they ski. The barefooters and jumpers also practiced their fancy footwork that will be performed during the payoff.

The shows are at Hidden Lake in Warsaw, and are free every Sunday and Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. CT Memorial Day through Labor Day. They have a great snack bar with delicious burgers, chips, soft drinks and Culver’s ice cream. It’s a wonderful family affair, so if you are a water skier or want to become one, there is a place for you at Lake City Skiers. Please contact Lauren Burish 765-434-0384 or Steve Hawblitzel at 407-929-2267 for more information, and visit http://www.lakecityskiers.org.

SHARON BIRLSON KIRKHAM travels and writes. A retired flight attendant, she and her husband of nearly 40 years, Cary, were awarded travel privileges for life when she left her job in 2008. Their intention is to burn it up, and so far they’ve lived up to their promise. Sharon has written and self-published four books, the most recent an e-book, “Skygirl on Cloud 9.” Born, raised and graduated from high school in LaPorte, she and Cary are community activists. They love to travel, but always look forward to returning home to their beloved LaPorte.

]]>http://whatsnewlaporte.com/2018/03/30/learning-the-ropes/feed/5Wagons, ho! A guy named Lemon built a toll bridge to help them traverse the Kankakee River in the 1800shttp://whatsnewlaporte.com/2018/03/11/wagons-ho-a-guy-named-lemon-built-a-bridge-to-help-them-traverse-for-a-fee-the-kankakee-river-in-the-1800s/
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A portion of an 1862 plat map of Pleasant Township, La Porte County, showing the area of Lemon’s Bridge on the Kankakee River and property owned by Maj. John M. Lemon. (Photo provided)

By Fern Eddy Schultz, La Porte County Historian

In the early years of La Porte County, a major question was how to get across the Kankakee River to access La Porte County. Lemon’s Bridge, built in 1840, was the first real bridge on the river and was located on what is now State Road 4. Prior to its construction, a ferry was used at this site.

La Porte County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz

Across the river, southeastward from Mill Creek, in 1831 or 1832, came a bridge built by John Dunn. Maj. John McClenahen Lemon made an agreement with the county to operate the bridge as a toll bridge, which he later, in 1846, reconstructed. During this period, the southern part of what is now La Porte County (Hanna, Prairie, Dewey and Cass townships) was a part of Starke County (Van Buren Township). This required those residing in this location to travel a considerable distance to the northeast to cross the river at the Lemon’s Bridge location and then continue going southwest to Knox to do business, particularly to pay their taxes. The settlers in this area petitioned to become a part of La Porte County, which occurred 28 January 1842.

That change did not completely end the traffic across Lemon’s Bridge. It continued at a relatively high pace and the crossing continued to be referred to as Lemon’s Bridge. The first settlers learned about the paths followed by the Indians and they followed one of them to the location of the bridge.

According to information contained in the archives in the La Porte County Historical Society Museum, the settlers built rafts to get across with their wagons pulled by oxen. A man by the name of John “Jack” Dunn came with the settlers and he decided it would be a good idea to build a pontoon bridge. He built piers on both sides of the river, then built two scows (defined as a wide-beamed sailing dinghies). The purpose for these was so he could float them into place between the piers and when the river got too high in the spring, he could pull them out of place and fasten them to the shore. It was reportedly a “crude affair, but better than nothing”. He charged one dollar for usage.

By 1834, this kind of bridge was not able to hold up the wagons. The county commissioners gave Mathias Redding a permit to build a ferry to carry wagons across and to charge a toll. This came into being and was operating until 1840. At that time, the traffic became too heavy for the ferry because of grain and farm products coming up from the Wabash Valley. These products were on their way to the Chauncey Bulkley Blair and Lyman Blair (brothers) warehouses in Michigan City. Two or three others were also involved and could only operate when Lake Michigan was free of ice.

In 1840, a deal was made between the county commissioners and Maj. John M. Lemon to build a bridge across the river and operate it as a toll bridge, sharing the tolls with the county. After the bridge was built, long caravans of wagons, pulled by four and six oxen, crossed over. These wagons were called “high water wagons” and had wheels with narrow tires. These caravans were sometimes a mile long. The Farmers Hotel, located at the corner of Fifth and Pine streets where the Michigan City Post Office later stood, was operated for them.

Lemon’s Bridge was about 300 feet long with approaches about 100 feet on both sides. It had lifts in the middle so they could be pulled up at night. This prevented people from “sneaking over” to avoid payment of tolls. It was operated as a toll bridge until after the Civil War when

the Plank Road “gave out” and the commissioners decided to make them a free bridge and road.

It was pointed out that this bridge “contributed a lot to the settling of the county and to business.”

It is not known why Maj. John McClenahen Lemon was referred to as “Major.” No record has so far been located to document any military service. One source suggested he served in the War of 1812, but this has not been documented. It may have been in some way connected with him having served as a “receiver” when the government established an office in La Porte for the sale of land. Maj. Robb was the “register.”

The construction of the Lemon house in Pleasant Township in 1837 is an interesting story in itself and may be an article in the future.

Lemon, with his wife Jane, moved to La Porte sometime between the 1850 census (he is enumerated as a Toll Gate Keeper in Pleasant Township) and 1859 when they are recorded in the La Porte City Directory as residing at the nwc of Jefferson Avenue and Madison Street. Maj. Lemon was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, 27 February 1791 and died in La Porte 27 August 1867. Jane was born in Woodland County Kentucky, 15 May 1791 and died in La Porte 05 November 1876. They are buried in Poets Hill Section of Pine Lake Cemetery.

FERN EDDY SCHULTZ is La Porte County’s official, state-appointed Historian. To learn more about the La Porte County Historical Society and its museum, visit http://www.laportecountyhistory.org.

]]>http://whatsnewlaporte.com/2018/03/11/wagons-ho-a-guy-named-lemon-built-a-bridge-to-help-them-traverse-for-a-fee-the-kankakee-river-in-the-1800s/feed/4La Porte County originally had 3 townships; now there are 21. How many in the future?http://whatsnewlaporte.com/2018/02/09/la-porte-county-originally-had-3-townships-now-there-are-21-how-many-in-the-future/
http://whatsnewlaporte.com/2018/02/09/la-porte-county-originally-had-3-townships-now-there-are-21-how-many-in-the-future/#commentsFri, 09 Feb 2018 06:05:34 +0000http://whatsnewlaporte.com/?p=84817

A map showing La Porte County’s townships. (Click to enlarge)

By Fern Eddy Schultz, La Porte County Historian

When we first became La Porte County on 09 January 1832, we had three townships: New Durham, Scipio and Kankakee. On 28 January 1842, we added Van Buren Township from Starke County to our county. That area was originally annexed to La Porte County because the Kankakee River formed a natural barrier between the townships and Starke County, making it impassable during the major part of the year except by canoe. This was later divided into four townships: Cass, Dewey, Hanna and Prairie townships. In 1904, there was a movement to have these four townships re-annexed to Starke County. The move was opposed and did not occur. In 1904, Washington Township became the last to be formed in La Porte County, making our total 21.

New Durham Township was one of the original three. The Miriam Benedict family is credited with erecting the first log cabins in Westville, having arrived in what was to become La Porte County on 15 March 1829. “The Widow Benedict was given the honor of naming the new territory and she chose the name New Durham in honor of her old home, Durham in Greene County, New York,” according to historic records.

La Porte County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz

Scipio Township is also one of the original three. It is unknown why it was given this name. Kankakee was third of the original three. It was so named probably because the Kankakee River ran through it.

Michigan Township was formed 04 September 1833 from New Durham Township. It is believed it was called Michigan because a large part of it consists of the water of Lake Michigan.

Centre (later to be Center) Township formed 05 November 1833 from Scipio. It was probably so named because of its location so near the center of the county as it was established at that time.

Pleasant Township formed on 03 March 1834 from Kankakee. In June 1850, the remaining part of the designated territory after the attachment of six sections to Wills became a part of Pleasant. The name seems to have been given because it was located in what was thought to be one of the most beautiful and attractive parts of the county.

Wills Township formed 03 March 1834 from Kankakee. It was named for John Wills, the first man who with his family, settled in this locality. In June 1850, the part of the designated territory that lay east of Wills, consisting of six sections, was attached to Wills.

Springfield Township formed 06 January 1835 from Centre. Galena formed 09 March 1836 from Kankakee. Clinton formed 09 March 1836 from New Durham. Coolspring formed 09 March 1836 from Michigan. Noble formed 09 March 1836 from Scipio. Also on that latter date, a move was made to form Madison Township from Pleasant. It was an unpopular move and the resolution was canceled. The remaining part of Van Buren became part of Noble Township on 11 March 1850. Hudson, the smallest township in the county, was formed 11 May 1836 from Wills. Union was formed 04 March 1840 from Pleasant.

Van Buren, in Starke County, became a part of La Porte County on 28 January 1842. Cass Township was formed 12 June 1848 from Van Buren. “The political parties then were the Whigs and wanted the township called Harrison. The Democrats wanted it called Cass. Lots were drawn with the Democrats winning. Thus the name Cass Township was born,” according to historical accounts.

Dewey Township was formed from the southern part of Cass 08 June 1860. “The township received the name of Dewey from the Luke B. Dewey family, early pioneers who came to the area in 1857.” Family information about Luke may be found in the La Crosse Centennial book.

Hanna Township was formed 11 March 1861. After the formation of Dewey Township, the people of what is now Hanna Township petitioned to become a part of Noble Township. There is no record of this coming about. On 12 March 1861, a petition was circulated to establish a new township called Anderson. The lines were so confusing, the county commissioners called a special meeting 23 March 1861 and rescinded the order to create the township.

Johnson Township was formed by 1870 from Pleasant. It was named for President Andrew Johnson. Lincoln Township was formed by 1870 from Pleasant. This was the first township in Indiana to be named for Lincoln. Prairie Township was formed in 1902 from Hanna. Washington Township was formed from Union as of 05 April 1904, becoming the last (and 21st) township to be formed in La Porte County.

As of 1904, it was reported that La Porte County had the largest number of townships of any county in the state, with Allen County following closely with 20. At that time, there were two counties in Indiana, each having four townships. Today, there are 1,008 townships in Indiana.

Indiana’s least-populated townships face forced mergers with their neighbors. Since the inception of the governmental township, the duties of that entity have changed from being responsible for schools, roads, libraries, property assessment and many others, to basically fire protection, emergency response and poor relief. These mergers, if approved, will considerably decrease the number of townships in Indiana.

FERN EDDY SCHULTZ is La Porte County’s official Historian. For more information on our fascinating local history, visit www.laportecountyhistory.org and the La Porte County Historical Society Museum.